The Digest:
Lionel Messi’s ballot for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award has placed former Barcelona teammate Ousmane Dembélé in first, followed by Kylian Mbappé and young sensation Lamine Yamal, a hierarchy reflecting personal insight into talent that has stirred global football conversation.
Key Points:
- Messi awarded his first-place vote (5 points) to Ousmane Dembélé.
- Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé received second place (3 points).
- Barcelona’s 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal ranked third (1 point).
- The selection notably omitted other widely tipped contenders from the top three.
- Messi’s ballot carries significant weight as a peer assessment from a football icon.
- Dembélé’s inclusion highlights Messi’s regard for consistency and explosive talent.
- Voting is aggregated from coaches, captains, journalists, and fans worldwide.
Sources: Marca, Goal
